Single stack exercise machine with adjustable pulls

Abstract

An exercise machine includes at least two vertically-adjustable force-applying members that can be independently adjusted by a user to desired positions. Both force-applying members are connected by a cable and pulley system to a single weight stack.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a load;    first and second force applying members;    a dual sliding pulley assembly connected to said first and second force applying members, said dual sliding pulley assembly including first and second movable pulleys that can be adjusted to a desired position by the user independently of one another;    a connecting cable connecting said dual sliding pulley assembly to said load so that use of either one or both of said force applying members lifts said load.    
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said dual sliding pulley assembly further comprises: 
 first and second sliding carriages carrying said first and second movable pulleys respectively;  
 first and second floating pulleys;  
 a first cable connected at one end to said first sliding carriage and at the opposite end to said first force applying member, said first cable passing around said first movable pulley and said first floating pulley;  
 a second cable connected at one end to said second sliding carriage and at the opposite end to said second force applying member, said second cable passing around said second movable pulley and said second floating pulley;  
 a third cable connected at opposite ends to said first and second floating pulleys.  
 
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a fourth cable connected at one end to said load;  
 a third floating pulley supported by said third cable and connected to a first end of said connecting cable; and  
 a fourth floating pulley supported by said fourth cable and connected to a second end of said connecting cable.  
 
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 3  further comprising a third force applying member connected to said fourth cable.  
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  wherein said first and second force applying members comprise pull handles.  
     
     
         6 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a load;    a first adjustable force applying member;    a second adjustable force applying member;    a cable and pulley system connecting said first and second force applying members to said load so as to allow a user to independently adjust the position of said first and second force applying members to desired positions, said cable and pulley system including a shared cable connecting both of said first and second force applying members to said load so that use of either one or both of said first and second force applying members by said user lifts said load.    
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 6  wherein said cable and pulley system includes a dual sliding pulley assembly connected to said first and second force applying members, said dual sliding pulley assembly including first and second movable pulleys that can be adjusted to a desired position by the user independently of one another; said shared cable connecting said dual sliding pulley assembly to said load so that use of either one or both of said force applying members lifts said load.  
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7  wherein said dual sliding pulley assembly further comprises: 
 first and second sliding carriages carrying said first and second movable pulleys respectively;  
 first and second floating pulleys;  
 a first cable connected at one end to said first sliding carriage and at the opposite end to said first force applying member, said first cable passing around said first movable pulley and said first floating pulley;  
 a second cable connected at one end to said second sliding carriage and at the opposite end to said second force applying member, said second cable passing around said second movable pulley and said second floating pulley;  
 a third cable connected at opposite ends to said first and second floating pulleys.  
 
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 8  further comprising: 
 a fourth cable connected at one end to said load;  
 a third floating pulley supported by said third cable and connected to a first end of said connecting cable; and  
 a fourth floating pulley supported by said fourth cable and connected to a second end of said connecting cable.  
 
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 9  further comprising a third force applying member connected to said fourth cable.  
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 7  wherein said first and second force applying members comprise pull handles.  
     
     
         12 . An exercise machine comprising: 
 a frame structure;    a load supported by said frame structure;    at least one force applying member;    a cable and pulley system connecting said force applying member to said load;    a bench to support a user; and    an adjustable brace connected to said frame structure and movable between at least first and second positions, said brace functioning as a stop member to prevent said bench from sliding during a first exercise, and functioning as a foot rest for the user during a second exercise.    
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 1  including at least two independently adjustable force applying members.  
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 13  wherein said cable and pulley system includes a shared cable connecting both of said first and second force applying members to said load so that use of either one or both of said first and second force applying members by said user lifts said load.  
     
     
         15 . The exercise machine of  claim 14  wherein said cable and pulley system further includes a dual sliding pulley assembly connected to said first and second force applying members, said dual sliding pulley assembly including first and second movable pulleys that can be adjusted to a desired position by the user independently of one another; said shared cable connecting said dual sliding pulley assembly to said load so that use of either one or both of said force applying members lifts said load.  
     
     
         16 . The exercise machine of  claim 15  wherein said dual sliding pulley assembly further comprises: 
 first and second sliding carriages carrying said first and second movable pulleys respectively;  
 first and second floating pulleys;  
 a first cable connected at one end to said first sliding carriage and at the opposite end to said first force applying member, said first cable passing around said first movable pulley and said first floating pulley;  
 a second cable connected at one end to said second sliding carriage and at the opposite end to said second force applying member, said second cable passing around said second movable pulley and said second floating pulley;  
 a third cable connected at opposite ends to said first and second floating pulleys.  
 
     
     
         17 . The exercise machine of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 a fourth cable connected at one end to said load;  
 a third floating pulley supported by said third cable and connected to a first end of said connecting cable; and  
 a fourth floating pulley supported by said fourth cable and connected to a second end of said connecting cable.  
 
     
     
         18 . The exercise machine of  claim 17  further comprising a third force applying member connected to said fourth cable.  
     
     
         19 . The exercise machine of  claim 12  wherein said first and second force applying members comprise pull handles.